As the Sanibel Historical Village celebrates it's 30th anniversary, Shore Haven, an early-20th Century home, has become one of its most interesting properties. Here is a look a Shore Haven ahead of the anniversary celebration on March 20.

It
was a trip to Disney World 38 years ago that brought about author
Jeri Magg’s latest book, 'Historic Sanibel & Captiva Islands:
Tales of Paradise.' It's a book that fills in the historical blanks
for visitors to Sanibel and Captiva.

For more than a century, the Gulf of
Mexico breezes have been embracing visitors to the Island Inn on
Southwest Florida's corner of paradise – Sanibel Island. A
refurbishing project has enhanced the historic inn while keeping its
distinct flavor and tradition.

Just driving up to
the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village makes one think of taking a
trip back in time. Tucked away neatly down a winding island road and
nestled within the protection of surrounding native trees and
vegetation, even the entrance to the property gives a feel for what
life must have been like a hundred years ago on Sanibel.

Long before the coming of the Spanish explorers, Sanibel and Captiva were home to the Calusa Indians. The Calusa are long gone now, swallowed up in the melting pot of cultures that became Florida, but in their day they thrived on the bounties of the barrier islands.

The Sanibel Lighthouse has been blinking since 1884 on its present location on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. It stands 102 feet tall and together with the accompanying lighthouse keeper buildings is the oldest structure on Sanibel and Captiva islands. It is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.